Advertisement

View synonyms for refuse

refuse

1

[ ri-fyooz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·fused, re·fus·ing.
  1. to decline to accept (something offered):

    to refuse an award.

    Synonyms: rebuff

    Antonyms: take, accept

  2. to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.):

    to refuse permission.

  3. to express a determination not to (do something):

    to refuse to discuss the question.

  4. to decline to submit to.
  5. (of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier).
  6. to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage.
  7. Military. to bend or curve back (the flank units of a military force) so that they face generally to the flank rather than the front.
  8. Obsolete. to renounce.


verb (used without object)

, re·fused, re·fus·ing.
  1. to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.

refuse

2

[ ref-yoos ]

noun

  1. something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage.

adjective

  1. rejected as worthless; discarded:

    refuse matter.

refuse

1

/ rɪˈfjuːz /

verb

  1. tr to decline to accept (something offered)

    to refuse a present

    to refuse promotion

  2. to decline to give or grant (something) to (a person, organization, etc)
  3. when tr, takes an infinitive to express determination not (to do something); decline

    he refuses to talk about it

  4. (of a horse) to be unwilling to take (a jump), as by swerving or stopping
  5. tr (of a woman) to declare one's unwillingness to accept (a suitor) as a husband
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


refuse

2

/ ˈrɛfjuːs /

noun

    1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
    2. ( as modifier )

      a refuse collection

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • reˈfuser, noun
  • reˈfusable, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • re·fusa·ble adjective
  • re·fuser noun
  • quasi-re·fused adjective
  • unre·fusa·ble adjective
  • unre·fused adjective
  • unre·fusing adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuse1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English refusen, from Middle French refuser, Old French ultimately from Latin refūsus, past participle of refundere “to pour back”; refund 1

Origin of refuse2

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Middle French, Old French refus “dross, waste,” derivative of refuser to refuse 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuse1

C14: from Old French refuser , from Latin refundere to pour back; see refund

Origin of refuse2

C15: from Old French refuser to refuse 1
Discover More

Synonym Study

Refuse, decline, reject, spurn all imply nonacceptance of something. To decline is milder and more courteous than to refuse, which is direct and often emphatic in expressing determination not to accept what is offered or proposed: to refuse a bribe; to decline an invitation. To reject is even more positive and definite than refuse : to reject a suitor. To spurn is to reject with scorn: to spurn a bribe.
Discover More

Example Sentences

The ruling itself won’t matter too much—the US can appeal it, and because the US is refusing to appoint new members to the WTO’s appellate board, the end result is legal limbo.

From Quartz

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier this month that Democrats refuse to go below $2 trillion.

From Fortune

Some customers refuse to dine altogether if they can’t be seated outside.

From Eater

So, in 2017, Coel walked away from a $1 million offer by Netflix to buy the rights to I May Destroy You after the streaming giant refused to include copyright royalties in the deal.

From Ozy

What we can say about younger audiences is that they refuse to define themselves by any media brand.

From Digiday

And now to this list of New York pols who refuse to go away, it may be possible to add another name: Vito Fossella.

And why would its ostensible spokesperson refuse to answer yes/no questions about them?

“I tell them they are ruining their life, but I will not refuse to do it,” Bensoussan said.

I refuse to be repeatedly mistreated especially by someone who claims to love me.

Another time he altered the program so that the high score table would refuse to display the initials of one of his colleagues.

She thought, knowing Janet to be at liberty and never dreaming that she would refuse: "I am saved--for the present."

They would certainly ask that question, and perhaps refuse the loan.

He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

Well, we must try our luck with a regulation sabre; they can't well refuse it; ours is the stronger and bigger man.

It seemed quite the forlornest hope I had ever heard of, but Jack's distress was so acute that I hadn't the heart to refuse.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


refusalrefusenik